Two giant pandas from China made their first public appearance at Zoo Atlanta on Friday, drawing a queue of eager visitors to see the bears.
Ping and Fu Shuang Take Up Residence in Atlanta
In a treat for onlookers, the male and female pandas—named Ping and Fu Shuang, respectively—were seen munching on bamboo at the Georgia facility. The six-year-old bears arrived from China’s Chengdu on September 27 aboard a FedEx flight dubbed the “Panda Express.” The duo spent the last few weeks getting acclimated to their habitat.
Ping features distinctive dark circles surrounding his eyes, while Fu Shuang is noted for a protruding forehead. The pair now occupy a panda enclosure at the zoo that had remained vacant since 2024.
Renewal of a Decade-Long Agreement
The debut marks the continuation of panda exhibits in Atlanta after a 25-year-long partnership that saw the zoo host four pandas on loan since 1999 ended amid strained US-China relations. Seven panda cubs born at the facility during that period currently live in Chengdu, China.
Following a Washington summit between US President Donald Trump and his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping, the accord was subsequently renewed via a 10-year loan contract.
China’s ambassador to the US, Xie Feng, spoke at a press conference on Friday regarding the milestone.
The pandas’ arrival marks the renewal of a decade-long bond between China and Zoo Atlanta.
Raymond King, CEO of Zoo Atlanta, also addressed the public during the debut.
Animals that have got a unique ability to inspire curiosity, instill passion, evoke joy, and unite people around the globe. This extraordinary spirit of partnership helps create a future for a species that is truly beloved the world over.
Practicing what is known as “panda diplomacy,” China frequently leases these celebrated bears to other nations to foster diplomatic connections, with any offspring born abroad generally sent back to China.
Zoo Atlanta recently renovated its panda facilities and ensured a long-term supply of locally grown bamboo for its newest residents. With this latest arrival, three US zoos now house the black-and-white mammals.
